Awards:Part of winning submission for 'Housing Architect of the Year Award 2013'Shortlisted Housing Design Award 2014Shortlisted New London Award 2014

The
first major project for the London Borough of Camden where they have retained
management control throughout all of the design and delivery phases, aided by a
proactive resident steering group determined to drive real change forward and
improve their community. Residents have worked together with a focussed Local
Authority regeneration team, creating a dynamic partnership committed to
delivering neighbourhood transformation and high-quality new homes over a 5-6
year phased delivery programme.

Bacton Estate Phase 1 was completed in 2015, delivering
67 homes (69% social rent,
31% market sale) as well as landscaped communal areas. Bacton Estate Phase 2
gained planning approval for the minor material amendment in August 2017 and
the team are currently working on the detailed design stages.

Throughout all design stages
one of the most critical aspects was understanding the needs of local residents
and channelling their energies for them to become an intrinsic part of the
design process. Community engagement consisted of regular meetings,
exhibitions, community fun days and site visits to example housing schemes in
London. Karakusevic Carson Architects and Camden Council also presented a large
and varied number of material samples from the early design stages. This was
imperative to help the residents visualise the proposals. Resident involvement
continued right through to detailed design with fortnightly material and
product consultation events, giving estate residents a further sense of
ownership and pride over their new homes.

The new Bacton Estate is a
contextual and modern expression of an urban family life with front gardens,
communal spaces and the use of high-quality brickwork and detailing. Design
proposals seek to rectify the mistakes of the past and reconnect the Estate with
the surrounding neighbourhoods. A new pedestrianised street opens up views to
the Grade I Listed Church, marking it as a key focal point in the area while establishing a
new public space for local residents and the wider community. This helps to forge a
new connection through the core of the development to the neighbouring estates.

The community requested
generally low-rise housing and homes with new streets to replace the deck
access. Through a series of engagement events, the Camden Regeneration Team and
residents agreed to the initial ideas of a network of new streets and medium
density family housing at 3-5 storeys combined with taller accents on key
streets and places. The scheme delivers a large range of home types, from 1
bedroom apartments through to 4 and 5 bedroom homes and generous family townhouses
and maisonettes.

Communal and private entrances
at street level activate the streetscape, while a clear hierarchy of routes is achieved
through the scale of the buildings. Rooftop amenity space, recessed and
outboard balconies ensure open spaces at every level of the development.

Perimeter blocks look down
upon beautifully landscaped gardens and play spaces which are shared by all
residents. Across the scheme there is a considered balance between public,
semi-private and private space which helps to foster interaction amongst
neighbours whilst providing privacy to residents.

The masterplan
has been designed to be completely tenure blind with different tenures
distributed across the neighbourhood and blended in each phase and street
scene.